BRITISH BLACK GROUSE. 359 



leap into the air, posture, and dance. More deliberate and 

 sedate exhibition of plumage charms includes many extra- 

 ordinary attitudes ; with drooping wings and elevated wide- 

 spread tail, the contrast of white wing bar and under tail-coverts 

 with the dark plumage produces effects calculated to charm. 

 The outward and even forward spread of the gracefully curved 

 tail feathers, and the snowy expanse of fluffy feathers beneath, 

 are the more striking features. The exhibition is accompanied 

 by a curious whirring note, which Mr. H. S. Gladstone lii<ens 

 to the sound of a "curling-stone travelling over keen ice." It 

 is not, by any means, proved that regular harems are selected 

 and retained, and the separation or mingling of the sexes 

 after the young are able to look after themselves may vary in 

 different localities ; Mr. Abel Chapman points out that there 

 is an autumnal display by the males, but that it has less 

 enthusiasm than that of spring and is received somewhat coldly 

 by the hens. 



During summer, when the cock loses his fine tail for a time, 

 and has a browner dress, especially on the head, he takes little 

 interest in the female, and in winter several males and females 

 will feed together without jealousy. Hybrids with other species, 

 such as Pheasant, Capercaillie, and Red Grouse, are not in- 

 frequent, but there is much variation in the plumage of mature 

 birds, as well as rather complicated age changes, and the 

 parentage of some reported hybrids has been challenged. 



The nest is usually on the ground in thick herbage, and the 

 six to ten, or even more, eggs (Plate 154) are not unlike small 

 eggs of the last species, rather thinly speckled with reddish 

 brown on a yellowish ground. Nestlings have buff or yellowish 

 down, mottled with black and chestnut, and reddish black- 

 banded heads. 



The normal plumage of the male is glossy blue-black, browner 

 on the wings ; the under tail-coverts and a bar on the wing are 

 white, and above the eye is a large vermilion wattle, which 



